Vertical Aerospace and its VX4 eVTOL makes you believe the future is possible By Ian Molyneaux After a few past wobbles, Vertical Aerospace has the feel of a company that is entering a new era of real significance backed up by an experienced, international team with a binding belief in its future success. In just the past few weeks, the...Read More
Nuuva V300 takes off with successful first flight Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. company, has announced the successful first hover flight of the Nuuva V300, a long-range, large-capacity hybrid-electric VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) unmanned aircraft. This milestone marks an advancement in the development of advanced, sustainable and versatile unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The Nuuva V300 is designed to carry a 600-pound...Read More
New Challenges in Avionics Training: Adapting to Rapid Technological Change By John Persinos The aviation industry is undergoing a technological revolution, with advancements in avionics transforming aircraft systems and operations. From the development of autonomous flight capabilities to the integration of virtual reality (VR) in cockpit simulations, these innovations promise to make aviation safer and more efficient. However, they also...Read More
Remembering Professor James Reason (1938 – 2025) IFA is sorry to hear that Professor James Reason has passed away. His work continues to have a profound effect on thinking about human factors, safety and culture across many industries. Our thoughts are with his Family and Friends at this time. This International Federation of Airworthiness (IFA) video examines Human Factors Error...Read More
The risks of Washington Reagan airport By David Learmount The fatal mid-air collision over the Potomac River next to Washington Reagan airport on 30 January is seen by many industry commentators, including myself, as an accident waiting to happen. Today it happened. A PSA Airlines Bombardier CRJ700 twinjet (N709PS), operating as American Eagle flight 5342 from Wichita to Washington, collided with...Read More
All change at CHIRP By Nicky Smith Musings by the new Director Aviation It’s a New Year and a fresh start for us all. For me personally, in my first week and embarking on an exciting new CHIRP journey, it’s an opportunity to introduce myself whilst reflecting on how culture has changed in aviation over the very nearly 40 years...Read More
President Donald Trump fires TSA Administrator Pekoske, warns of more dismissals By Goda Labanauskaite The Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) David Pekoske has been asked to step down from his role following Donald Trump’s second presidential inauguration. On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the new President of the United States. On his first day, he signed...Read More
US Senate Committee advances Trump nominee to head Transportation Department By Reuters The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee voted to advance President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to head the U.S. Transportation Department. The committee voted 28-0 to advance the nomination of former Representative Sean Duffy. He has said Boeing BA.A needs “tough love” to get back on track after a 2024 mid-air emergency and...Read More
Former NBAA COO Chris Rocheleau Sworn In As FAA Deputy Administrator By Rytis Beresnevicius Old yet new leadership According to a report by The Air Current, citing multiple people familiar with the matter, Rocheleau was sworn in as the new Deputy Administrator of the FAA, replacing Mark House, who was the acting Deputy Administrator. The FAA’s Administrator role remains vacant. However,...Read More
FAA Calls For Boeing 787 Seat-Track Inspections After Manufacturing Fault Found By Rytis Beresnevicius The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) addressing a potentially unsafe condition of the Boeing 787 seats. Quality escapement On January 17, the FAA published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for the Boeing 787-8 , 787-9, and 787-10, saying that following multiple supplier notices...Read More